Mastering Headshots.
The headshot is literally a calling card. This is why business executives, actors and models should pay great attention to details.
As a professional photographer you have to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of your client in seconds. To get the best headshot you not only need to work around their blind spots but also ensure your client feels comfortable to manifest authenticity.
People shape their opinion subconsciously and take decisions in milliseconds. Therefore, it’s crucial to transmit a sense of confidence and empathy immediately.
A Headshot, is a photograph which strongly focusses on people’s faces and their expression. It would seem to be so simple.
However, there is no other part of the body revealing so much about a person. This is what makes a headshot so critical. A dynamic headshot for models, actors, and other performance professionals will be the difference between acquiring the gig or not. A personal portrait of a CEO must deliver a sense of trust in order to build a connection with the brand.
Here are some basic tips for you to start with:
1. Focus on the eyes.
The eyes are said to be the window of the soul. They show if a person is confident or insecure. Therefore, nothing is more important than achieving sharp, crisp eyes in your shot. Capturing the eyes in a powerful way will draw the viewer into the photo, establishing a strong connection that will speak volumes.
2. Watch your angles.
Remember that for close up shots, angles will affect the outcome look and feel. With only very little moves you can emphasize certain parts and really make a huge difference to give the picture it’s magic. Try as many different angles as you can to get a feeling for it and build your own style.
3. Guide expression
The final most important element is an expression to match the purpose of the headshot. It’s your job as photographer to pull out the most natural looks from your subjects. If the portrait is for a company make sure you do your homework and are familiar with the corporate brand values. While you take pictures it’s crucial to start a conversation with the person in front of the camera and guide them through several expressions.
This is what taking headshots truly is about. Do you want to practice, improve and get your shots to the next level?
We are part of Peter Hurley’s international headshot crew in New York and we are happy to share our knowledge and experience with you.